The American company Airbnb has accused the hotel industry of bearing the main responsibility for the problem of over-tourism in Europe. Airbnb claims that their platform contributes to diversifying the tourist offer and directs tourists to less popular neighborhoods, thereby relieving classic mass tourism zones. On the other hand, critics, including local authorities and experts, point out that short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb lead to housing shortages, rising rental prices, and additional pressure on infrastructure. In cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Santorini, protests have erupted due to mass tourism, and local authorities have introduced various regulations and bans on short-term rentals. The hotel sector demands that Airbnb operate under the same rules as hotels, emphasizing that the problem is the imbalance in tourism, not tourism itself. Airbnb announces continued cooperation with authorities and adaptation to regulations.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources tend to emphasize the negative social impacts of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, highlighting issues such as housing shortages for local residents, rising rental prices, and the disruption of community life. They often support stricter regulations and view Airbnb as contributing significantly to over-tourism and gentrification in popular cities.
Center: Centrist perspectives present a balanced view, acknowledging that both hotels and short-term rental platforms contribute to over-tourism. They highlight the need for fair regulations that ensure sustainable tourism development, protect local communities, and allow for economic benefits from tourism. They often report on the ongoing debates and regulatory measures taken by local governments.
Right: Right-leaning sources often defend Airbnb and similar platforms, emphasizing their role in diversifying tourist accommodation and spreading tourists to less crowded areas. They criticize local authorities and hotel industries for unfairly blaming Airbnb and argue that the real problem lies in the overall management of tourism and hotel development. They stress the importance of market freedom and oppose overly restrictive regulations.